Kasargod (Kerala), May 23 (IANS) Sunday morning saw as many as 30 funerals in north Kerala's Kasargod and Kannur disricts. With 66 victims of Saturday's plane crash in Mangalore being Malayalis, Kerala was clearly in mourning.

In fact, Pareppu, a small village in Kasargod was witness to seven funerals. As a mark of respect to the many departed, Nileshawaram town that borders Mangalore is observing a shutdown Monday.

Of the 66 Malayalis killed in the accident, bodies of 54 have been identified while efforts are on to identify the rest.

One of the tragic tales is of 46-year-old Abdul Samad, who hailed from Kannur. He was coming to see his wife and children after three years. He had been in Dubai for 18 years.

"He was supposed to come for his vacation last week. For some reason he postponed his trip by a week. His wife and kids were at the arrival lounge when the aircraft burst into flames," Samad's relative told IANS from Kannur.

Shibhu, an IT professional, had seen off his wife Rosili and two kids after a vacation in Dubai. But people back home are now waiting for him to come back after Rosilli and their two children, aged six and nine, died in Saturday's mishap.

"We are all waiting for Shibhu to arrive from Dubai. Rosili's parents have now been told of the tragedy," said one of Rosili's relatives.